The Dirty Dozen

Everyone knows that fresh fruit and vegetables are an important part of nutrition – but don’t negate the nutrition by consuming massive amounts of pesticides. It’s important to eat organic whenever possible, but especially the produce off the Dirty Dozen List. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases a list every year of the fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide levels and it can be pretty unnerving when you hear some stats. For instance, this year’s top “dirty” food? Apples. More than 40 different kinds of pesticides have been found on apples alone, ack! And strawberries, who can resist a plump, juicy strawberry? That’s another one to watch out for, with over 50 different pesticides’ residue.

Make safer choices when shopping for produce – remember the Dirty Dozen and try to always buy these organic.

Dirty Dozen – 12 Most Contaminated

Apples

Celery

Strawberries

Peaches

Spinach

Nectarines – imported

Grapes – imported

Bell peppers

Potatoes

Blueberries – domestic

Lettuce

Kale/collard greens

Clean 15 – Lowest in Pesticide

Onions

Sweet Corn

Pineapples

Avocado

Asparagus

Sweet peas

Mangoes

Eggplant

Cantaloupe – domestic

Kiwi

Cabbage

Watermelon

Sweet potatoes

Grapefruit

Mushrooms

PS: We just got deliveries yesterday of the RAWbundant cheeses in both stores. It’s been hard keeping them on the shelves so if you’re looking, they’re here, get ’em while you can!